Tube tray for secondary tubes, secondary tube handling module, and method of handling secondary tubes in an automated processing system

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a secondary tube tray for use in an automated processing system, the tray comprising a base module and a secondary tube insert. Furthermore, the present invention describes a secondary tube handling module of an automated processing system for automatically processing biological sample, and a method of handling secondary tubes for use in automatically processing biological sample in an automated processing system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the technical field ofhandling tubes, in particular secondary tubes, in connection with or bymeans of an automated processing system for automatically processingbiological sample, for example for performing medical diagnosticanalysis of biological samples.

In more detail, the present invention relates to a tube tray forsecondary tubes, also referred to as secondary tube tray, the traycomprising a base module and a secondary tube insert, which base modulereceives the secondary tube insert and forms the secondary tube traytogether with the secondary tube insert, resulting in a secondary tubetray including a secondary tube insert. The secondary tube insert isparticularly used for holding a plurality of secondary tubes inside thetray, the secondary tubes being a particular kind of sample tubes foruse in an automated processing system, such as an analytical,pre-analytical or post-analytical processing system in a laboratoryenvironment. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to asecondary tube handling module, for example as part of an automatedprocessing system, for handling secondary tubes contained by thesecondary tube tray. Moreover, the present invention also relates to amethod of handling such secondary tubes discharged from the secondarytube tray, for use in automatically processing biological sample in anautomated processing system.

In the present technical field, the term “sample tube” or “samplecontainer” generally refers to any individual container fortransporting, storing and/or processing a sample. In particular, theterm without limitation refers to a piece of laboratory glass- orplastic-ware optionally comprising a cap on its upper end. Accordingly,such a sample tube, often also referred in a simplified manner as“tube”, can be a sample collection test tube, also called “primarytube”, which sample collection test tube can be used to receive a samplesuch as a biological sample from a patient, and to transport the samplecontained therein to an analytical laboratory for diagnostics purposes.Such samples are routinely taken from patients by medical personnel inhospitals or in private practice, for laboratory analysis, e.g. fordetermining concentration levels of different components within thetaken samples. Here, the terms “sample” and “biological sample” usuallyrefer to material(s) that may potentially contain an analyte ofinterest. The sample can be derived from any biological source, such asa physiological fluid, including blood, saliva, ocular lens fluid,cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, urine, stool, semen, milk, ascites fluid,mucous, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, tissue,cultured cells, or the like, wherein the sample can be suspected tocontain a certain antigen or nucleic acid. The patient sample can bepretreated prior to use, such as when preparing plasma from blood,diluting viscous fluids, lysis or the like. Methods of treatment caninvolve filtration, distillation, concentration, inactivation ofinterfering components, and the addition of reagents. A sample may beused directly as obtained from the source, or may be used following apretreatment of the sample to modify the character of the sample, forexample when rendering an initially solid or semi-solid biologicalmaterial to become liquid by dissolving or suspending it with a suitableliquid medium.

Besides the above explained general understanding of the term “sampletube”, a sample tube can also be a so-called “secondary tube”, which maybe used to receive an aliquot of sample from a primary tube, for examplebefore or during the laboratory analysis procedure for in-vitrodiagnostic use. In more detail, secondary tubes are usually used as asecondary container for aliquoting, storing and transporting biologicalsamples such as human tissue, blood, saliva or urine, from a sample in aprimary tube in the clinical laboratory and for the analysis inlaboratory analyzers, which samples are routinely taken from patients bymedical personnel in hospitals or in private practice, for laboratoryanalysis, e.g. for determining concentration levels of differentcomponents within the taken samples. Secondary tubes, which usuallyexhibit an elongated tube shape with one open end and which are normallyintended for single use only, can typically be made of plastics and mayhave a low degree of variation of size and type compared to primarytubes, meaning that such secondary tubes are usually similar oridentical to each other. If necessary, secondary tubes can be closed bya respective safety cap which is often screwed onto the open end of thesecondary tube to be closed after aliquoting.

BACKGROUND

As mentioned above, particularly when employed within an automatedprocessing system for automatically processing biological sample,secondary tubes are usually used for aliquoting, storing andtransporting biological samples, wherein the secondary tubes destined toreceive sample aliquots should be labeled accordingly in order to beclearly identifiable, for example by means of barcode labeling or thelike, which labeling can be handled by an automated device, such as arobotic system or the like.

As an example of a device for dispensing and labeling sample tubes, U.S.Pat. No. 9,598,197 B2 discloses a portable double-decker desktop tubedispenser, wherein a blood sampling tube stacker device is arranged inan overlapping manner above a printing-and-pasting device, such thatprimary tubes for blood sampling are dispensed from a tube stocker andtransported to a label printing-and-pasting device positioned below thetube stockers by means of a conveying belt. Here, the sample tubes canbe provided inside the tube stocker in random horizontal orientation,since a cap side of each primary tube can be detected and a direction ofprinting the respective label can be chosen in this respect, in order tobe able to paste the labels in a proper orientation onto the primarytubes.

However, such portable desktop solutions are not suitable for anautomated processing system due to the fact that automated processingsystems are usually self-contained closed systems which requireloading/unloading slots as interfaces between the interior and theexterior of such self-contained system, in order for an operator to beable to introduce primary tubes, reagent containers, and/or inparticular secondary tubes into the interior of the automated processingsystem. Accordingly, a portable desktop solution as described above isnot suitable for interchangeable introduction into an automatedprocessing system due to the necessity of disturbing the closure of theautomated processing system. For this purpose, and as basis for thepresent invention, tubes to be introduced into the automated processingsystem can be stored in respective trays, which are employed as smallesttransport unit and are designed to fit into the loading/unloading slotsof the automated processing system. By means of interchangeableintroduction of such trays, the automated processing system can remainself-contained, since the trays loaded into and unloaded from theloading/unloading slots of the automated processing system do notdisturb the closure of the system, for example by means of a lock-gatesystem or the like provided in combination with the loading/unloadingslots. However, it has been found that, inside the automated processingsystem, the discharging and further processing of secondary tubes fromsuch trays has still not been implemented in an effective and sufficientway. Thus, the general need exists in the present technical field toprovide a simple and elegant solution for easily introducing a bulk ofsecondary tubes into a self-contained automated processing system in anordered and one-by-one separable manner for further processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above described problems ofsimplified loading/unloading of secondary tubes into/from aself-contained automated processing system. As a first aspect of thepresent invention, a secondary tube tray for an automated processingsystem is provided, wherein the secondary tube tray comprises a basemodule and an insert for secondary tubes, also referred to as secondarytube insert, the secondary tube insert being adapted for holding anddispensing a plurality of secondary tubes in parallel, and particularlyfor holding and dispensing a plurality of secondary tubes having similaror identical diameters, wherein the secondary tubes can be uncapped andempty secondary tubes, and wherein the secondary tube insert is insertedinto the base module. Further, the base module comprises a substantiallyclosed bottom side with at least one discharge opening for dischargingsecondary tubes, and the secondary tube insert is a hollow body with atleast one insert opening in its bottom side. Accordingly, the uncappedempty secondary tubes can be loaded into the secondary tube insert by auser in a parallel orientated manner. Due to the fact that the secondarytube tray has the secondary tube insert received in its base module,meaning that the base module is an outer component of the tray and thesecondary tube insert is an inner component of the tray, the combinationof base module and secondary tube insert is referred to as secondarytube tray, or alternatively consumable tube tray, due to the fact thatsecondary tubes are also referred to as consumable tubes used in thesense of disposables.

In general, the secondary tube tray of the present invention consists ofa base module and a tray insert as mentioned above, wherein the basemodule can be designed to receive different tray inserts, therebyrendering the base module to be a basis for a so-called “multipurposetray” which basically consists of a base module and one or several trayinserts, in the present invention at least one single secondary tubetray insert, also referred to as consumable tube tray insert, consumabletube insert or secondary tube insert. Accordingly, the “multipurpose”property of such multipurpose tray is achieved by the exchangeability ofthe respective tray insert(s) received by the base module, for examplein a mix and match manner, thereby achieving a high flexibilityregarding the content to be received by the multipurpose tray whencomprising one or several tray inserts. Accordingly, by means of theexchangeability of a tray insert, i.e. the ability to switch one trayinsert with another tray insert, for example of the same or a differentkind, the multipurpose functionality of the multipurpose tray isachieved. As a general alternative to the presently presentedcombination of the base module with the secondary tube insert, the basemodule theoretically can also be adapted to receive different otherkinds of tray inserts, such as one or several universal tray inserts forreceiving different kinds of primary tubes, one or several urinecontainer tray inserts, and/or one or several tip rack tray inserts.Accordingly, the multipurpose property of the base module is achieved bythe exchangeability of the tray insert, or also by the possibility toreceive several tray inserts other than the secondary tube insert,thereby achieving a high flexibility. Thus, the base module including atleast one secondary tube insert, i.e. the tray taking the function assecondary tube tray, has the same format in particular in regard to thesame basic dimensions as a multipurpose tray when functioning, forexample, as a primary tube tray (=multipurpose tray plus primary tubeinsert), resulting in the fact that the multipurpose tray can be handledby the same or a similar handling mechanism, such as a tray transportmechanism for transporting the tray inside the automated processingsystem, and through the same loading/unloading slots, irrespective ofthe chosen function of the multipurpose tray.

Now, as a particular example of a suitable tray insert for suchmultipurpose tray in order to provide the secondary tube tray of thepresent invention, the secondary tube insert is received in the basemodule of the secondary tube tray, wherein the secondary tube insertprovides a hollow body for receiving the plurality of secondary tubes ina randomly horizontally orientated parallel manner, i.e. the tubes whenarranged inside the hollow inner space of the secondary tube insert canbe oriented generally in parallel, but must not be oriented uniformly inregard to a horizontal orientation of one secondary tube to another,meaning that the horizontally received secondary tubes can be randomlyarranged in regard to their longitudinal axis, i.e. the open top of onesecondary tube can be arranged next to the bottom of an adjacentsecondary tube, or the other way around. Thereby, filling of thesecondary tube insert of the secondary tube tray is simplified, sincethe secondary tubes do not have to be adjusted in order to have theexact same horizontal orientation, but can be randomly filled into thesecondary tube insert in this regard, making a filling of the secondarytube insert faster and more effective.

Furthermore, in the inventive secondary tube tray of the presentinvention, either the secondary tube insert or the base module comprisesa blocking mechanism which blocks or closes the discharge opening in thebottom side of the base module when not operated, i.e. when the blockingmechanism is not activated, wherein the blocking mechanism is adapted tobe openable from the outside, i.e. the outside of the base module and,thus, from the outside of the secondary tube tray. In this regard, thedischarge opening can thus allow discharging of at least one secondarytube in an open state of the blocking mechanism, wherein an open stateof the blocking mechanism is achieved when the blocking mechanism isoperated, i.e. when the blocking mechanism is activated from theoutside. Here, the insert opening in the bottom side of the secondarytube insert can allow passage of a blocking mechanism actuating memberfrom the outside through the bottom side of the base module to theblocking mechanism.

For allowing passage of a blocking mechanism actuating member from theoutside through the bottom side of the base module to the blockingmechanism as mentioned above, the bottom side of the base module cancomprise at least one actuation opening which can be provided next tothe discharge opening in the substantially closed bottom side of thebase module of the secondary tube tray, wherein the at least oneactuation opening can be implemented as two actuation openings next toeach other in parallel, and arranged in a rectangular manner in regardto the discharge opening, such that the discharge opening and the twoactuation openings arranged next to each other in parallel assume ageneral U-shape in the bottom side of the base module of the secondarytube tray. Each actuation opening is provided so that a respectiveactuation member can pass through the bottom side of the base module andcan also pass through the insert opening provided in the bottom side ofthe secondary tube insert and reach into the inside of the secondarytube insert from the outside in order to push or shuffle the stackedsecondary tubes inside the secondary tube insert towards the dischargeopening. Alternatively, the discharge opening can provide additionalspace for passage of the blocking mechanism actuating member from theoutside through the bottom of the base module of the secondary tube trayto the blocking mechanism of the secondary tube insert, in order toactivate the blocking mechanism and remove the blocking, in order to beable to dispense secondary tubes. The actuation member can be providedin the form of a cam member or the like, entering through the actuationopening in the course of a curved in-and-out movement, which is furtherdescribed in more detail below. In an assembled state of the base moduleand the secondary tube insert, both the at least one actuation openingand the discharge opening provided in the bottom of the base module canbe covered or overlapped by the insert opening in the bottom of thesecondary tube insert, thereby allowing a plurality of free passagesfrom the outside of the base module to the inside of the secondary tubeinsert, wherein the openings in the base module, i.e. the dischargeopening and the one or more actuation openings, and the insert openingin the secondary tube insert are substantially aligned with each other.As an alternative to only providing one single insert opening in thebottom side of the secondary tube insert, the insert opening can also beimplemented as a plurality of openings, which openings can coincide withthe openings provided in the bottom of the base module, therebyresulting in several passages between the outside of the base module andthe inside of the secondary tube insert.

In general, regarding the manufacturing of the secondary tray insertand/or the base module of the present invention, i.e. the secondary tubetray of the present invention, the same can be injection moldedcomponents, wherein the secondary tray insert and/or the base module canbe made of polypropylene (PP) or polycarbonate blends, such aspolycarbonate with styrene acrylonitrile (PC/SAN) and polycarbonate withacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS), which all constituteinjection-moldable materials.

Regarding the general structure of the base module of the inventivesecondary tube tray, the base module can comprise a rectangularstructure with a substantially closed bottom side and at least partiallyclosed side walls, usually four in number and thin-walled compared tothe overall rectangular structure of the base module, wherein the upperside of the rectangular structure constitutes the above mentioned openside of the base module. With such structure, the base moduleconstitutes a box shape with a substantially closed bottom, with theexception of the already mentioned at least one discharge openingaligning with the insert opening in the bottom of the secondary tubeinsert in order for the secondary tube tray to be able to dispensesecondary tubes from inside the secondary tube insert to the outside ofthe base module. The base module can also comprise manufacturing-relatedholes or slits or the like. Moreover, the at least one discharge openingconstitutes a general secondary tube discharge opening of the secondarytube tray, the discharge opening being aligned with the insert openingin the bottom of the hollow body of the secondary tube insert in orderto provide a free passageway when not blocked by the blocking mechanism.In an open state of the blocking mechanism, the discharge openingprovided in the substantially closed bottom of the base module of thesecondary tube tray allows discharging of a secondary tube through theinsert opening in the bottom side of the secondary tube insert and,subsequently, through the discharge opening provided in thesubstantially closed bottom side of the base module of the secondarytube tray.

Further, the box shape of the base module additionally comprises sidewalls, which can be continuously closed or which can only be closed inpart, and an open upper side, substantially without any kind of wallsurface or the like. Regarding the structure of the side walls, at leastone of the at least partially closed side walls of the base module cancomprise an opening in the form of an open side slot starting at theopen upper side, i.e. the open upper side continues in the opening, andcan continue toward the base module's bottom side, wherein the openingdoes not have to continue until the bottom side but can finish above thebottom, thereby constituting a window of the side wall open to the top.According to an alternative specific embodiment, each side wall of thebase module can comprise such an opening or open recess constituting aside slot or side window of each side wall open to the top. Thereby,each corner of the rectangular structure comprises an angular cornerpost starting from the closed bottom and continuing to the open upperside, which angular corner posts can also be referred to as cornerstruts or corner pillars, achieving sufficient distance between thebottom side and the open side of the base module for receiving thesecondary tube insert as well as the tubes provided therein, withoutinteracting with another base module stacked on top of it.

The general structure of the secondary tube insert is similar to thebasic structure of the base module, i.e. the hollow body of thesecondary tube insert can exhibit an at least partially open top, oropen upper side, and substantially closed side walls, resulting in arectangular structure of the secondary tube insert with a substantiallyclosed form comprising four closed side walls, i.e. two longitudinalextending side walls, or longitudinal side walls, and two transverselyextending side walls, or transverse side walls, providing a general boxshape, wherein the upper side of the rectangular structure constitutesthe previously mentioned open upper side of the secondary tube insertwhich is provided for filling the plurality of secondary tubes into thehollow body of the secondary tube insert. With such structure, thesecondary tube insert constitutes a box shape, optionally with asubstantially closed bottom, with the exception of the already mentionedinsert opening in its bottom, thereby providing the already mentionedinner space of the secondary tube insert for receiving the plurality ofsecondary tubes. Here, the insert opening in the bottom side of thesecondary tube insert can be at least of the same dimension as thedischarge opening in the bottom side of the base module, wherein theinsert opening in the bottom side of the secondary tube insert cansubstantially extend over the entire surface area of the bottom side ofthe secondary tube insert, thereby rendering the substantially closedbottom of the secondary tube insert to be a substantially open bottomside. As particular embodiment, the inner space of the secondary tubeinsert, or better the inner space of the hollow body of the secondarytube insert can be sized to accommodate between 150 and 200 secondarytubes, for example about 170 secondary tubes, depending on therespective diameter of the sample tubes. In this regard, each secondarytube can exhibit a length in the range of 70 mm to 110 mm, for exampleabout 105 mm, or more particular in a range between 75 mm to 100 mm,with a diameter in the range of 12 mm to 16 mm, for example 14 mm.

In order to be able to dispense the secondary tubes in an ordered andone-by-one separable manner for further processing, the blockingmechanism and the discharge opening in the bottom side of the basemodule are adapted for dispensing the secondary tubes one-by-one, inparticular wherein the hollow body of the secondary tube insertcomprises the at least one insert opening in its bottom side, i.e. anopening in the bottom surface or bottom plate of the hollow body of thesecondary tube insert, which opening is sized to allow at least onesingle secondary tube from the plurality of the secondary tubes stackedinside the secondary tube insert to pass therethrough. Here, the insertopening can be a through-hole provided in the bottom of the secondarytube insert, and the insert opening can be dimensioned to be slightlybroader than a longitudinal length of each secondary tube, meaning thatthe shape of the insert opening can be similar to a cross-sectionalshape of the secondary tube to be dispensed through the insert opening,but bigger in dimension so as to allow the secondary tube to passthrough the insert without the same getting stuck or becoming edged inthe insert opening. Thus, in view of a usually elongated cylindricaltube shape of a secondary tube, resulting in a rectangular block shapein cross-section, the basic shape of the insert opening in the bottom ofthe secondary tube insert can also exhibit an elongated rectangularblock shape. Now, since the secondary tubes are stacked inside thesecondary tube insert in a horizontally arranged manner with both tubeends being in parallel to the longitudinal side walls of the box-shapedhollow body of the secondary tube insert, the longitudinal axis of theelongated rectangular block shape of the insert opening is orientatedparallel to a longitudinal axis of each stacked secondary tube, i.e.parallel to each transverse side wall and, thus, in a right angleregarding the longitudinal side walls of the hollow body of thesecondary tube insert, irrespective of the dimensioning of the insertopening, i.e. irrespective if the insert opening in the bottom side ofthe secondary tube insert is implemented as a relative small hole or ifit extends over the entire surface area of the bottom side of thesecondary tube insert. The same of course applies to the respectivedischarge opening in the bottom side of the base module of the secondarytube tray, which discharge opening is necessary to establish a generallyfree passage between the inside of the hollow secondary tube insert andthe outside of the base module of the secondary tube tray for achievinga passage of a secondary tube from the inside to the outside of thesecondary tube tray when dispensing secondary tubes. Regarding anexemplary dimensioning of the secondary tube insert of the secondarytube tray of the present invention, the same can exhibit a length in arange of 400 mm to 430 mm, for example about 417 mm, with a width of itsinner space being in a range of 100 mm to 120 mm, for example about 110mm, and with a width of its outer circumference including the bent upperedge being in a range of 140 mm to 160 mm, for example about 152 mm.

Regarding further structural features of the secondary tube tray of thepresent invention, the upper edge of each side wall of the secondarytube insert can be bent to the outside, in a general right-angledmanner, for example in order to provide a smooth transition between theedge of the side walls of the secondary tube insert and respective sidewalls of the base module, as well as for improved filling properties ofthe secondary tube insert regarding the secondary tubes to be filledthere into. Moreover, each side wall of the secondary tube insert cancomprise notches or dents for structural reinforcement of the secondarytube insert, meaning that the inner surface of each side wall cancomprise indentations directed to the outside, i.e. directed to theinner surface of the respective side wall of the base module, asreinforcement features for increasing the stability of the secondarytube insert and, thus, the secondary tube tray, as well as formanufacturing reasons. Alternatively or additionally, each longitudinalside wall of the secondary tube insert can comprise indentations on itsoutside directed to the inside of the secondary tube insert, i.e. awayfrom the inner surface of the respective side wall of the base module,which can also function as reinforcement features for increasing thestability of the secondary tube insert and, thus, the secondary tubetray. Furthermore, with the latter structure of indentations on itsoutside directed to the inside of the secondary tube insert, which canexhibit the shape of a square with rounded corners, the secondary tubeinsert and, thus, the secondary tube tray can obtain a lightweight butstable structure.

Focusing on the blocking mechanism of the secondary tube tray of thepresent invention, the blocking mechanism can be implemented by means ofa blocking bar, such as a flat rod or latch, which is movably arrangedon an inside of the secondary tube insert, for example by means ofrecesses provided on the inside of the secondary tube insert on opposingside walls, wherein the blocking bar is held at both ends inside therecesses with the possibility to move inside the recesses, for examplein a substantial vertical direction upwards and downwards, in order toblock or unblock the insert opening provided in the bottom of thesecondary insert opening, for allowing movement of the blocking barbetween its blocking and unblocking position. Regarding the dimensionsof such blocking bar, its length can be in a range of 100 mm to 120 mm,for example 115 mm, and its width can be in a range of 20 mm to 30 mm,such as 25 mm, wherein the length of the blocking bar extends in thelateral direction of the secondary tube tray, and its width extendsalong the longitudinal direction of the secondary tube tray. Here,according to a specific embodiment of the blocking mechanism, theblocking mechanism further comprises a biasing spring or the like, forurging the blocking bar into its blocking position by a biasing force,the blocking position being the position that blocks the insert openingso that no secondary tube can pass therethrough. In this regard, a nextsecondary tube to be dispensed can abut against the blocking bar whenthe same is urged into its blocking position, such that the abuttingsecondary tube can only be dispensed, i.e. can only pass through thesecondary tube insert opening when the blocking bar is moved out of theway, for example upwards into its unblocking position, by which theabutting secondary tube receives free passage through the insert openingand, thus, through the discharge opening, i.e. to the outside of thesecondary tube tray. Here, the biasing spring can be provided within therespective recess of each side wall in which the blocking bar is allowedto move upwards and downwards, in a way such that the blocking bar isspring-biased in its blocking position, wherein the blocking bar must bepushed into its unblocking position by means of an actuation componentor the like, as described further below. Moreover, on the upper edge ofthe blocking bar, a bent plate can be arranged, which bent plate has ashorter lateral extension that the blocking bar and extends from theblocking bar to the adjacent lateral side wall, in order to prevent anysecondary tube from getting jammed behind the blocking bar, and whichplate serves to direct the secondary tubes inside the secondary tubetray in front of the blocking bar, ready for being dispensed through theinsert opening.

As an alternative to the blocking bar solution as described above, theblocking mechanism can also be provided in the form of a hatchmechanism, wherein the hatch mechanism can comprise a hatch member, forexample a hinged flap gate, as well as a biasing spring or the like.Here, the hatch member can be urged into its closed position by means ofa biasing force, similar to the blocking bar as mentioned above, i.e. aposition in which the flap gate closes or blocks the insert opening inthe bottom of the secondary tube insert for dispensing the secondarytubes and prevents the secondary tubes from exiting, by means of atleast one spring, such as a coil spring or the like, which is in directconnection with the flap gate and which can be attached, at the hingedend, to either one of the secondary tube insert or the base module.Furthermore, as to structural features of the hatch member, the flapgate can comprise an L-shape, with the longer flank providing the hingedflank end, and with the shorter flank providing a stopper for thesucceeding secondary tube following a previously discharged/dispensedsecondary tube. Moreover, a side wall of the hollow body of thesecondary tube insert at the hatch member, i.e. the transverse side wallof the hollow body provided adjacent to the hatch member and, thus,adjacent to the insert opening, comprises a bulged recess allowingmovement of the hatch member between its closed and open position,wherein the hatch member blocks passage to the secondary insert openingin its closed position, and wherein the hatch member allows or unblockspassage to the secondary insert opening in its open position. The bulgedrecess in the present implementation of the blocking mechanism is to beunderstood as a protrusion or bulged indentation of the mentionedtransverse side wall of the secondary tube insert extending towards theinside of the secondary tube insert, allowing the hatch member of thehatch mechanism to be moved without interference with the respectivepart of the transverse side wall. Here, the bulged recess can beprovided in a lower part of the transverse side wall, which lower partof the transverse side wall adjacent to the insert opening is protrudingto the inside of the hollow body in a bulged manner, thereby providing akind of hood over the hatch member of the hatch mechanism. Regarding thefunctionality of the hatch mechanism and its respective structure aswell as the structure of its counterpart in the secondary tube insert,i.e. the insert opening provided in the bottom of the hollow body of thesecondary tube insert, the hatch mechanism and the insert opening areadapted for dispensing the stacked secondary tubes one-by-one, i.e. in arow one after the other, wherein the insert opening in the bottom of thesecondary tube insert can be adapted to allow access to the hatchmechanism from the outside, for example in order to be able to operateor actuate the hatch mechanism, and more particularly the hatch memberof the hatch mechanism in order to be able to open the hatch mechanism,or to provide the means for being able to remove any blockage of thehatch mechanism, if any.

According to a further specific embodiment of the secondary tube tray ofthe present invention, the secondary tube insert is releasably engagedwithin the base module, for example by means of a releasable press-fitconnection, a releasable push-in connection or a releasable snapconnection. Accordingly, regarding the connection between the secondarytube insert and the base module of the secondary tube tray, thesecondary tube insert can be press-fitted into the inner side of thebase module, wherein the outer circumference of the secondary tubeinsert is brought into press-fitted engagement with the innercircumference of the base module in more than one location, such as in acircumferential manner, thereby resulting in a detachable press-fitconnection. Thus, the releasable press-fit connection, also referred toas force-fit or interference connection, can be easily established bymeans of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing of the base module andthe secondary tube insert, wherein the “fit” is implemented by afastening between base module and secondary tube insert achieved byfriction after these parts are pushed together, and wherein theallowance between base module and secondary tube insert determines theirtemporary joining. Furthermore, the secondary tube insert is releasablyengagable within the open side of the base module by press-fitengagement of the secondary tube insert with the base module as alreadydescribed previously. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary tubeinsert can also enter into a snap-fit connection or plug-in connectionwith the base module, provided that both parts comprise complementarysnap-fit or plug-in features.

According to the above, the secondary tube insert can compriseengagement features, for being releasably engagable with, for example,cylindrical protrusions within an open side of the base module of thesecondary tube tray, wherein the protrusions of the base module can alsoprovide a kind of tongue of a tongue-and-groove connection, with therespective engagement features of the secondary tube insert providingthe groove counterpart, for example by means of respective suitableengagement recesses or the like, which can be provided in an outercircumferential edge of the secondary tube insert. Alternatively, theengagement features can be provided in the form of plug-in connectorsprovided on a bottom side of the secondary tube insert, which connectorscan be pushed into respective holes provided in the base module, forexample center-holes of the respective protrusions of the base module.In the later cited embodiment, a push-in connection between the basemodule and the secondary tube insert can be achieved, which can also bedetached again by simply pulling the secondary tube insert out of thebase module, similar to the above described press-fit connection. Also,as a further alternative, the engagement protrusions can be provided inthe form of snap-in latches, with the respective engagement features ofthe secondary tube insert providing the groove counterpart, for exampleby means of respective suitable engagement recesses or the like, inorder to establish a snap-fit connection of the secondary tube insertwith the base module. Of course, after engaging the secondary tubeinsert into the base module of the secondary tube tray, these componentscan additionally be fixed to each other, for example by means ofadhesive or the like, in order to achieve a fixed connection between thesecondary tube insert and the base module, if desired. Alternatively,the engagement features as described above can also provide a fixedengagement between these components, such that additional adhesive orthe like can be avoided, but a fixed connection can still beestablished, if desired.

Any engagement of base module and secondary tube insert, releasable orfixed, as mentioned above, can result in that the secondary tube insertis at least partially enclosed by the base module in a framed mannerwithout the secondary tube insert protruding to the outside of the basemodule. In such case, since the secondary tube insert does not protrudeto the outside of the base module, and particularly does not protrudeupwards to the outside of the base module, the base module can, thus, beadapted to be stackable on top of another base module of a secondarytube tray, or also on top of another base module of a multipurpose trayof the same type. Thereby, several base modules can be stacked on top ofeach other in a space-saving manner, irrespective of the tray insertinserted into each of the stacked base modules, which also contributesto user convenience since several differently equipped base modules canbe stacked together when loaded with secondary tubes or, alternatively,primary tubes or the like, and can be carried or transported in thestacked arrangement, thereby improving transportability and alsostorability of the tube trays. In order to achieve such a stackingconnection between at least two base modules on top of each other, thebottom side of each base module can comprise a step portion with reducedouter circumference, e.g. a narrowing step portion, which step portionmatches into an upper edge of an open side of another base module.Accordingly, the step portion of the bottom side of the upper basemodule can be stacked into an upper edge of the open side of anotherbase module, e.g. in a nestable manner.

As mentioned above, the base module can be open on one side, i.e. itsupper or top side, wherein the secondary tube tray can also furthercomprise a removable cover adapted to close the open top of thesecondary tube tray and the at least partially open top of the secondarytube insert. In doing so, the secondary tube tray can be stored withoutthe risk of having any secondary tubes falling out of the secondary trayinsert, or the like. Here, however, when using such cover, astackability of the base modules as described above may only be given incase a similar stacking connection between the trays with cover isprovided. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary tube insert cancomprise such a removable cover or cover plate, for example in the formof a lid such as a metal lid, which lid can be removably attached withinan upper portion of the secondary tube insert or on top of the open sideof the secondary tube insert, in order to securely close the open upperside of the secondary tube insert. The removable cover plate of thesecondary tube insert can also be used to put pressure on the stack oftubes within the secondary tube insert so that the tubes can be pushedout of the insert opening in the bottom side of the base module in caseof an open blocking mechanism. In order to improve its handleability,the cover plate can comprise at least one central hole, such as acircular hole or two circular holes next to each other, in order to makeit easier for an operator to grasp the cover plate with his/her fingersand to lift the cover plate off the secondary tube insert, for examplewhen filling the secondary tube tray with secondary tubes. Moreover, atleast one square pattern can be provided on the cover plate, preferablytwo square patterns, which can be used for tube fill level detection bya camera or the like. Furthermore, the cover plate can comprise markingson its top side, i.e. the side facing away from the inside of thesecondary tube insert, which markings are analyzed by a tray shuttlecamera or the like to determine an estimated fill level of the secondarytube tray.

According to a further specific embodiment of the inventive secondarytube tray, the base module can comprise, as an interface, at least onehandle on its outer circumference for improved transportability of thebase module, i.e. the tray, by an operator, such as laboratory personnelor the like, wherein the handle simplifies a grasping of the base moduleby the operator who can grasp the base module with one or two hands.Alternatively, the base module comprises, as an interface, two handleson its outer circumference opposite to each other, which even furtherimproves the transportability of the base module by the operator, sincethe two opposite handles simplify a grasping of the base module by theoperator who can grasp the base module with two hands. Moreover, thebase module can also comprise, as an interface, at least one engagementindentation on its outer circumference, wherein the engagementindentation is not to be confused by a handle as described above, but isparticularly provided for a tray carrier, or tray carrier instrumentsuch as a tray shuttle or the like, of the automated processing system,which carrier can engage with the indentation and, thus, pick up thebase module, for improved transportability of the base module by thetray carrier in the course of an automated transportation process. Forthe sake of convenience, the at least one engagement indentation isprovided within a handle positioned on the base module's outercircumference, as described above. Thereby, it becomes possible for thebase module to be picked-up and transported not only by a humanoperator, but also by an automated tray carrier instrument, at theidentical location at the base module. Similar to the provision of twohandles as described above in an alternative embodiment, the base modulecan comprise, as an interface, two engagement indentations, or even morethan two indentations, if necessary, on its outer circumference oppositeto each other for improved transportability of the base module by thetray carrier of the automated processing system, wherein each engagementindentation can be provided within a handle allocated on the basemodule's outer circumference. Thereby, it becomes possible for the basemodule to be picked-up and transported not only by a human operator, butalso by an automated tray carrier instrument in the same manner as beingpicked-up by a human operator with two hands, at the identical locationsat the base module. The above described interfaces are provided asinterfaces either form human interaction or as interface to instrumentsof an automated processing system, wherein the interfaces can beprovided for interaction with such an instrument for the transport toand from loading slots of the automated processing system, to a workdeck of the automated processing system or for a general tray shuttleprovided within the automated processing system.

According to a further specific embodiment of the inventive secondarytube tray, the base module can comprise at least one color indicator forindication of a loading status of a content of the secondary tube tray,i.e. a content of the secondary tube insert as received in the basemodule of the secondary tube tray. For example, the color indicator canprovide different colors, which can indicate that the secondary tubetray carries new, i.e. unprocessed secondary tubes, already usedsecondary tubes, or also secondary tubes with erroneous content, whereinthe new secondary tubes can be color-coded with green color and thealready used secondary tubes, or secondary tubes with erroneous content,can be color-coded with red color. Here, as a specific embodiment, thecolor indicator can be operable manually by the operator, and/or can beimplemented in the form of a rotating indicator plug or pole provided ina respective pocket in the base module, for example in one of severalcorner posts of the base module, wherein the pocket comprises a viewingwindow to the outside, in which the respective color can be shown andchanged by rotation of the indicator pole. Also, in case that thesecondary tube tray is not in need of loading status indication, aso-called blind plug can be fitted into the base module pocket, i.e. aplug without any different colors provided on it, such as a grey-coloredplug or the like. Accordingly, the color indicator can be replaced, ifdesired, for improved user convenience. As additional aspect of theprovision of the indicator in form of an indicator pole stuck into apocket of the base module, any optical sensor of the automatedprocessing system can be used to identify the correct loading of thesecondary tube tray into a loading slot of the automated processingsystem, since the pocket is either provided on the end of the trayloaded first into the loading slot, or not. Depending on the desiredorientation of the tray when loaded into the loading slot, the correctorientation or a false orientation can be detected and, for example,signalized to an operator.

Furthermore, in accordance with a further specific embodiment of thebase module of the inventive secondary tube tray, the base module cancomprise at least one writable surface on its outer circumference, inorder for an operator to provide the base module with a human readablemarking and allowing rapid marking and erasing of such markings on thesurface by a human operator, if desired, wherein the writable surfacecan be implemented by means of a whiteboard material, i.e. a wipeablematerial, to be able to use it more than one time. Thereby, any operatorcan provide the base module, and, thus, the secondary tube tray withhuman-readable markings, if desired, which can easily be erased again.According to one specific implementation of the writable surface, thesame can be provided by means of the placement of a label on a side wallof the base module, for example the right side of the base module,wherein it is useful if the writable surface in the form of the labelcan only be cleaned with alcohol or suchlike, in order to improve thedurability of the operator's markings. Thus, the writable surfaceprovides white space to label the trays with notes for co-workers orco-operators, or the like. In addition to the human-readable marking asdescribed before, the base module of the secondary tube tray of thepresent invention can also comprise at least one identification code onits outer circumference, which can be an adhesive label or the like,carrying a human-readable machine-writing, which can provide substantialinformation about the base module or its content for a human operator.Alternatively or additionally, a machine-readable identification codecan be provided on the outer circumference of the base module, forexample implemented by a barcode or the like, or also in the form of aRFID tag or the like, which makes an automatic identification of thebase module or its content in the automated processing system possible,such as the number of secondary tubes provided therein, and which canprovide a unique identification code for each base module. For example,such barcode or RFID tag can consist of 3 characters for identificationof the tray type, i.e. that the secondary tube insert type is providedin the base module, and 5 characters giving a consecutive serial number,for recordability reasons.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a secondary tubehandling module of an automated processing system for automaticallyprocessing biological sample is also provided in the course of thepresent invention, wherein the secondary tube handling module can beprovided or used as a component arranged inside a housing of thelaboratory system. Usually, an automated processing system, such as ananalytical, pre-analytical or post-analytical processing system, whichis commonly employed in state-of-the-art laboratories for automaticallyprocessing biological sample, can comprise one or more laboratoryinstrument(s) operatively connected to a control unit. The term“analytical” as used herein encompasses any process step carried out byone or more laboratory devices or operative units which are operable toexecute an analytical test on one or more biological samples. In thecontext of biomedical research, analytical processing is a technicalprocedure to characterize the parameters of a biological sample or of ananalyte. Such characterization of parameter comprises, for example, thedetermination of the concentration of particular proteins, metabolites,ions or molecules of various sizes in biological samples derived fromhumans or laboratory animals, or the like. The gathered information canbe used to evaluate e.g. the impact of the administration of drugs onthe organism or on particular tissues. Further analyses may determineoptical, electrochemical or other parameters of the samples or theanalytes comprised in a sample.

In general, before a chemical, biological, physical, optical or othertechnical analysis can be performed on a sample by such an analyticalprocessing system, a variety of different pre-analytical processingsteps may have to be executed on a sample of a patient by instruments ofa pre-analytical processing system, such as sample centrifugationinstrument for centrifuging a sample, sample resuspension instrument forresuspension of a sample, sample container capping or decappinginstruments for capping and/or decapping a sample container, samplecontainer labeling instrument for providing each sample container with arespectively printed label, a recapping instrument for recapping asample container after decapping the same, and/or aliquotationinstrument for dividing a sample into aliquots of the sample, and thelike.

Now, in order to be able to transport a sample container such as asecondary tube within a laboratory system, the secondary tube must bedispensed from a secondary tube reservoir, such as the above describedsecondary tube tray filled with secondary tubes, and must be transportedto the respective instrument, for example automatically. Here, the term“laboratory instrument” or “instrument” of the laboratory encompassesany apparatus or apparatus component operable to execute one or moreprocessing steps/workflow steps on one or more biological samples, andcovers pre-analytical instruments, post-analytical instruments and alsoanalytical instruments. The expression “processing steps” thereby refersto physically executed processing steps such as centrifugation,aliquotation, sample analysis and the like. Furthermore, the term“pre-analytical” as used herein relates to the execution of one or morepre-analytical processing steps on one or more biological samples,thereby preparing the samples for one or more succeeding analyticaltests.

The secondary tube handling module of the present invention is adaptedto hold at least one secondary tube tray as described further above,wherein the secondary tube handling module comprises a separator forextraction of secondary tubes from the secondary tube insert of thesecondary tube tray, the separator comprising a tilting mechanism fortilting the secondary tube tray about a lateral axis. Here, the tiltingangle by which the tilting mechanism tilts the secondary tube tray aboutthe lateral axis can be between 10° and 14°, in particular 12° about thelateral axis. Moreover, the secondary tube handling module comprises atleast one blocking mechanism actuating member for actuating the abovedescribed blocking mechanism to unblock/block the insert opening, i.e.to open/close the insert opening in the bottom of the secondary tubeinsert, in order to be able to dispense at least one secondary tube ondemand. The blocking mechanism actuating member can be implemented inthe form of a pin, a spacer or the like. Also, the secondary tube trayand the blocking mechanism actuating member are movable relative to eachother, which occurs when tilting the secondary tube tray about itslateral axis and towards the blocking mechanism actuating member, sothat the blocking mechanism actuating member can be moved through thedischarge opening in the bottom of the secondary tube tray and throughthe insert opening in the bottom of the secondary tube insert towardsthe blocking bar or the hatch member, so that the blocking mechanismactuating member can be brought into engagement with the blockingmechanism and actuate the same by forcing the blocking mechanism againstits biasing force, in order to be able to dispense at least onesecondary tube.

As a specific embodiment of the secondary tube handling module accordingto the present invention, the module can further comprise the alreadymentioned at least one cam member, for example in the form of a pusheror pushing wedge, for entering through the at least one actuationopening and the insert opening, for pushing or shuffling subsequentsecondary tubes following the secondary tube to be dispensed nexttowards the discharge opening of the secondary tube tray, such that asteady flow of secondary tubes is dispensed through the dischargeopening of the secondary tube tray when desired. This is achieved by anin-and-out movement of the cam member through the actuation opening ofthe base module and the insert opening of the secondary tube insert ofthe secondary tube tray. As a specific implementation of the cam member,an eccentric disk or the like can be used, wherein the tappet of theeccentric disk is used as the component for pushing the subsequentsecondary tubes towards the discharge opening. As further component, thesecondary tube handling module can further comprise a bufferintermediate storage for receiving multiple discharged or dispensedsecondary tubes and storing the same temporarily, wherein the bufferintermediate storage can be arranged right after the discharge openingin order to receive the dispensed secondary tubes from the secondarytube tray. Accordingly, the buffer intermediate storage can comprise theblocking mechanism actuating member at its receiving end, in order to beable to actuate the blocking mechanism and cause the secondary tubesfrom the secondary tube tray to be dispensed into the bufferintermediate storage after exiting the discharge opening. Thereby, thebuffer intermediate storage is used as buffer reservoir for intermediateor temporary storage of the just-dispensed secondary tubes. According tothe present invention, the buffer intermediate storage can be used fordetermining a number of received discharged secondary tubes, wherein thebuffer intermediate storage can comprise at least one buffer sensor fordetecting an underrun of a predetermined buffer level of the number ofreceived discharged secondary tubes.

Accordingly, the buffer intermediate storage can be used not only toreceive a certain predetermined number of secondary tubes but can alsobe used to identify if the predetermined number of secondary tubes iscontained in the buffer intermediate storage, wherein the predeterminednumber of secondary tubes constitutes the predetermined buffer level tobe contained in the buffer intermediate storage. In case the bufferintermediate storage does not contain the predetermined number ofsecondary tubes, i.e. one or several secondary tubes are missing fromthe predetermined number, it can be concluded that no further secondarytubes are discharged, usually due to the fact that the secondary tubeinsert is empty. Accordingly, by means of the buffer level and bydetection if the buffer level is reached by the dispensed secondarytubes, for example by means of an optical sensor, it can be determinedif the secondary tube tray is empty and a new, filled secondary tubetray is required. As an example, the buffer intermediate storage can beadapted to receive a maximum of five (5) secondary tubes, wherein thepredetermined buffer level can be predetermined to be four (4) secondarytubes. Accordingly, in case the buffer level is not reached, i.e. lessthan four (4) secondary tubes are contained in the buffer intermediatestorage, it can be determined that the secondary tube tray should bechanged in order to keep a steady flow of secondary tubes in theautomated processing system.

According to a further specific embodiment of the secondary tubehandling module of the present invention, the module can furthercomprise a secondary tube manipulator for grasping secondary tubes froma discharge end of the buffer intermediate storage, wherein themanipulator in its function as secondary tube grabber or secondary tubegrasper is adapted to be able to actually grab or grasp at least onesecondary tube in a steady manner, Thereby, the secondary tube handlingmodule can provide the grasped secondary tube to a tube labelingcomponent for label printing and label application on the graspedsecondary tubes. Thus, the secondary tube manipulator is used astransfer means between the buffer intermediate storage and the tubelabeling component, for example in the form of a robotic arm or thelike. Moreover, the secondary tube manipulator can additionally comprisean orientation sensor for detecting the horizontal orientation of thesecondary tube, in order to be able to provide the secondary tube in asuitable position to the tube labeling component. This means that theorientation sensor is used to determine if the grasped secondary tube isgrasped in an upright manner, or in an upside down manner, wherein thesecondary tube handling module can provide the secondary tube to thetube labeling component together with the information about theorientation of the secondary tube, i.e. upright or upside down, in orderfor the tube labeling component to print the label upright or upsidedown and apply it onto the secondary tube in a respective orientation.Alternatively, the secondary tube handling module can determine theorientation of the secondary tube, i.e. upright or upside down, and cancorrect the orientation of the secondary tube into the uprightorientation, if required, in order to be able to provide the secondarytube to the tube labeling component in an upright manner in order to beable to label the secondary tube accordingly.

Further, in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentinvention, the secondary tube handling module can also comprise abarcode reader for checking the label printed and applied to arespective secondary tube by the tube labeling component, which barcodereader is, thus, used as confirmation device for confirming the correctlabeling of the labeled secondary tube. Furthermore, the secondary tubehandling module can further comprise a secondary tube feeder for feedingthe labeled and checked secondary tubes into a process rack for furtherprocessing, if identified as correctly labeled, or into a wastecontainer, if identified as incorrectly labeled. Thereby, it can beachieved that no erroneously or incorrectly labeled secondary tube isused in the further workflow within the automated processing system.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a method of handlingsecondary tubes for use in automatically processing biological sample inan automated processing system is provided, wherein the method ofhandling the secondary tubes can be carried out by means of thesecondary tube handling module as described above, and wherein thesecondary tubes can be provided by the secondary tube tray as describedfurther above. Here, the inventive method comprises the step ofreceiving the secondary tube tray by means of the secondary tubehandling module and the subsequent step of tilting the secondary tubetray about its lateral axis by means of the tilting mechanism of thesecondary tube handling module, wherein the tilting mechanism can tiltthe secondary tube tray between 10° and 14° about its lateral axis, inparticular 12°. Afterwards, the step of actuating the blocking mechanismof the secondary tube insert by means of the blocking mechanismactuating member is carried out, in order to open the insert opening inthe bottom of the secondary tube insert and, if necessary, to actuatethe cam member for pushing secondary tubes towards the discharge openingof the secondary tube tray, resulting in the buffer intermediate storagereceiving discharged secondary tubes. Subsequently, the inventive methodproceeds to the step of extracting a secondary tube from the dischargingend of the buffer intermediate storage by means of the separator of thesecondary tube handling module. Thereby, with the above describedmethod, a secondary tube can be extracted from the filled secondary tubetray by means of the secondary tube handling module.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the step ofactuating the blocking mechanism can be implemented by moving thesecondary tube tray and the blocking mechanism actuating member relativeto each other, such that the blocking mechanism actuating member ismoved through the discharge opening in the bottom of the base module ofthe secondary tube tray and the insert opening in the bottom of thesecondary tube insert, engages with the blocking bar or the hatch memberof the blocking mechanism and moves the same against the spring load tounblock or open the insert opening in the bottom of the secondary tubeinsert. Here, the described process can also be described as a pin orspacer pushing the blocking bar or the hatch member against a biasingspring load so that the blocking bar or the hatch member is lifted fromthe insert opening and enables free movement of a secondary tube insidethe secondary tube insert in a passing-by manner past the blockingmechanism and through the insert opening which was previously covered bythe blocking mechanism. Thus, the secondary tube tray comprises a kindof self-closing mechanism for covering the insert opening when notactivated, resulting in the fact that a not handled secondary tube traydoes not allow the secondary tubes to accidentally pass or fall throughthe insert opening during transport of the secondary tube tray, or thelike.

Moreover, the inventive method can further comprise the additional stepof grasping the extracted or dispensed secondary tube from the dischargearea of the buffer intermediate storage by means of the secondary tubemanipulator, the step of determining a horizontal orientation of thegrasped secondary tube by means of the orientation sensor, the step ofproviding the grasped secondary tube in a suitable position to the tubelabeling component, based on the determined horizontal orientation ofthe grasped secondary tube, and the step of printing a label for thegrasped secondary tube and applying the same onto the grasped secondarytube. Thus, the horizontal orientation of each secondary tube can bedetermined and, if desired, adjusted in order for the label printing andapplying to be carried out in a reasonable manner, without the chance offalse labeling of a secondary tube which then might have to be disposedof. Thus, the previously described inventive method results in the factthat less or none secondary tubes have to be disposed of due to false orunreadable labeling. Additionally, as a further specific embodiment, themethod can further comprise the step of checking if the graspedsecondary tube is correctly labeled by means of the barcode reader,wherein, in case the grasped secondary tube is identified as correctlylabeled, the correctly labeled secondary tube is fed into a process rackfor further processing, for example by the secondary tube feeder, or, incase the grasped secondary tube is identified as incorrectly labeled,the incorrectly labeled secondary tube fed into a waste container, forexample by the secondary tube feeder. However, based on the previousmethod steps, the occurrence of an incorrectly labeled secondary tubeshould be reduced to almost zero. As a further step, for the sake offurther handling the secondary tube in the course of the processesinside the automated processing system, the method can further comprisethe step of moving the loaded process rack into a pipetting position forfurther processing.

In order to be able to determine the filling level of secondary tubeswithin the secondary tube insert of the secondary tube tray, the abovedescribed inventive method can further comprise the step of determininga number of secondary tubes received in the buffer intermediate storageby means of a buffer sensor, such as an optical sensor or the like, thestep of comparing the determined number of received secondary tubes witha predetermined minimum buffer level, and, in case the determined numberof received secondary tubes is lower than the predetermined minimumbuffer level despite the actuation of the cam member, the step ofdetermining that the secondary tube insert of the secondary tube tray isempty. Thereby, the buffer intermediate storage has the purpose ofmonitoring means for monitoring the filling level of the secondary tubeinsert, and, thus, it can be determined that the secondary tube trayshould be exchanged, before the secondary tubes are actually runningout, due to the remaining secondary tubes in the buffer intermediatestorage. Accordingly, in case it is determined that the secondary tubeinsert of the secondary tube tray is empty, which can be determinedbased on the monitoring of the buffer level and comparing the same withthe predetermined buffer level, the empty secondary tube tray has to bereplaced. With such inventive method, a running out on secondary tubescan be avoided, and a continuing automated processing of biologicalsample can be ensured.

The above described method steps can be controlled by a control unit ofthe automated processing system, which can also control the actuation ormovement of the above described devices, such as the secondary tubehandling module and its components, as well as the orientation sensor, abuffer level sensor, tube labeling component, the barcode reader, etc.,wherein the term “control unit” as used herein encompasses any physicalor virtual processing device, such as a CPU or the like, which can alsocontrol the entire automated processing system comprising one or morelaboratory instruments in a way that workflow(s) and workflow step(s)are conducted by the automated processing system. The control unit may,for example, carry different kinds of application software and instructthe automated processing system or a specific instrument or devicethereof to conduct pre-analytical, post analytical and analyticalworkflow(s)/ workflow step(s). The control unit may receive informationfrom a data management unit regarding which steps need to be performedwith a certain sample. Further, the control unit might be integral witha data management unit, may be comprised by a server computer and/or bepart of one instrument or even distributed across multiple instrumentsof the automated processing system. The control unit may, for instance,be embodied as a programmable logic controller running acomputer-readable program provided with instructions to performoperations. Here, in order to receive such instructions by a user, auser interface can additionally be provided, wherein the term “userinterface” as used herein encompasses any suitable piece of applicationsoftware and/or hardware for interactions between an operator and amachine, including but not limited to a graphical user interface forreceiving as input a command from an operator and also to providefeedback and convey information thereto. Also, a system/device mayexpose several user interfaces to serve different kinds ofusers/operators.

As used herein and also in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”,“an”, and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Similarly, the words “comprise”, “contain” and“encompass” are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively;that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. The terms “plurality”, “multiple” or“multitude” refer to two or more, i.e. 2 or >2, with integer multiples,wherein the terms “single” or “sole” refer to one, i.e. =1. Furthermore,the term “at least one” is to be understood as one or more, i.e. 1or >1, also with integer multiples. Accordingly, words using thesingular or plural number also include the plural and singular number,respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,”, “previously”and “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application,shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particularportions of the application.

The description of specific embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. While the specific embodiments of, and examples for, thedisclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.Specific elements of any foregoing embodiments can be combined orsubstituted for elements in other embodiments. Furthermore, whileadvantages associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure havebeen described in the context of these embodiments, other embodimentsmay also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments neednecessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of thedisclosure.

The following examples are intended to illustrate various specificembodiments of the present invention. As such, the specificmodifications as discussed hereinafter are not to be construed aslimitations on the scope of the present invention. It will be apparentto the person skilled in the art that various equivalents, changes, andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention, and it is thus to be understood that such equivalentembodiments are to be included herein. Further aspects and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of particular embodiments illustrated in the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective illustration of a secondary tube trayaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, consisting of abase module and a secondary tube insert inserted therein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective illustration of a base module of amultipurpose tray used to constitute the secondary tube tray as shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective illustration of the secondary tubetray as shown in FIG. 1 from another perspective;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective illustration of the secondary tubetray of FIG. 3 cut along the plane A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the cut schematic illustration of FIG.4, including several secondary tubes, with a hatch mechanism in a closedstate;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail of the cut schematic illustration of FIG.4, including several secondary tubes, with a hatch mechanism in an openstate;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective illustration of a secondary tubehandling module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective illustration of the secondary tubehandling module of FIG. 7 without several component covers for improvedperceptibility;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic perspective illustration of theseparator of the secondary tube handling module of FIG. 7 including asecondary tube tray according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention, comprising a modified secondary tube insert;

FIGS. 10 & 11 are schematic illustrations of a tilting movement of theseparator of FIG. 9 in cross section cut along its middle longitudinalaxis, and a respective dispensing action of secondary tubes from thesecondary tube tray according to the further embodiment of the presentinvention, comprising the modified secondary tube insert;

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective illustration of a secondary tube trayaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention, consistingof a base module and a secondary tube insert inserted therein, with acover plate in the form of a lid closing the secondary tube insert;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective illustration of the secondary tubetray as shown in FIG. 12 without the cover plate; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective illustration of the secondary tubetray as shown in FIG. 13 cut along the plane B-B, and filled with fivesecondary tubes lined up before the discharge opening.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 secondary tube tray1′ secondary tube tray (with modified secondary tube insert)1″ secondary tube tray (with further modified secondary tube insert)100 base module101 bottom/bottom side of the base module1011 discharge opening1012 actuation opening102 side plate/side wall103 side slot/window104 corner post1041 corner post window1042 top indentation105 step portion106 handle1061 engagement indentation107 color indicator1071 rotary knob108 writable surface109 identification code110 engagement protrusion2 secondary tube200 secondary tube insert200′ secondary tube insert (modified)200″ secondary tube insert (further modified)201 bottom/bottom side of the secondary tube insert201′ open bottom/bottom side of the modified secondary tube insert201″ open bottom/bottom side of the further modified secondary tubeinsert202 side plate/side wall of the secondary tube insert202′ side plate/side wall of the modified secondary tube insert202″a longitudinal side plate/side wall of the further modifiedsecondary tube insert202″b 1 first cross side plate/side wall of the further modifiedsecondary tube insert at the discharge opening side202″b 2 second cross side plate/side wall of the further modifiedsecondary tube insert at the discharge opening opposite side2021 bent upper edge2022 notch2022′ notch2022″ indentations203 insert opening/secondary tube insert opening203′ insert opening/modified secondary tube insert opening203″ insert opening/modified secondary tube insert opening204 inwardly bulged recess204″ separating element205 ledge206′ recess206″ recess207″ label208″ cover plate2081″ gripping hole2082″ slot300 hatch member300′ blocking bar300″ blocking bar4 secondary tube handling module41 separator411 tilting mechanism42 buffer intermediate storage421 buffer level sensor422 buffer intermediate storage chute4221 blocking mechanism actuating member43 cam member44 tube orientation sensor45 secondary tube manipulator46 tube labeling component47 barcode reader5 drawer6 secondary tube feeder61 process rack

1. A secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) for an automated processing system,the secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) comprising a base module (100) and asecondary tube insert (200′; 200″) adapted for holding a plurality ofsecondary tubes (2) in parallel, the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″)being inserted into said base module (100), wherein the base module(100) comprises a substantially closed bottom side (101) with at leastone discharge opening (1011) for discharging secondary tubes (2), thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″) is a hollow body with at least oneinsert opening (203′; 203″) in its bottom side (201′; 201″); thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″) comprises a blocking mechanism in theform of a blocking bar (300′; 300″) movably arranged on an inside of thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″), said blocking mechanism blocking thedischarge opening (1011) in the bottom side (101) of the base module(100) when not operated, wherein the blocking mechanism is adapted to beopenable from outside of the base module.
 2. The secondary tube tray(1′; 1″) according to claim 1, wherein the insert opening (203′; 203″)in the bottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′;200″) is adapted for passage of a blocking mechanism actuating member(4221) from outside of the base module through the bottom side (101) ofthe base module (100) to the blocking mechanism, wherein the bottom side(101) of the base module (100) further comprises at least one actuationopening (1012) for allowing passage of said blocking mechanism actuatingmember (4221) from outside of the base module through the bottom side(201′; 201′)′ of the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″) to the blockingmechanism.
 3. The secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) according to claim 2,wherein the actuation opening (1012) is provided next to the dischargeopening (1011) in the bottom side (101) of the base module (100),wherein said actuation opening (1012) in the bottom side (101) of thebase module (100) is covered by said insert opening (203′; 203″) in thebottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″). 4.The secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) according to claim 1, wherein theblocking bar (300′; 300″) is arranged in a recess (206′; 206″) in a sidewall (202′;202″a) of the hollow body of the secondary tube insert (200′;200″) for allowing movement of the blocking bar (300′; 300″) between itsblocking and unblocking position.
 5. The secondary tube tray (1′; 1″)according to claim 1, wherein the insert opening (203′; 203″) in thebottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″) is atleast of the same dimension as the discharge opening (1011) in thebottom side (101) of the base module (100), wherein the insert opening(203′; 203″) in the bottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tubeinsert (200′; 200″) substantially extends over the entire surface areaof the bottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′;200″).
 6. The secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) according to claim 1, whereinthe insert opening (203′; 203″) in the bottom side (201′; 201″) of thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″) and the discharge opening (1011) inthe bottom side (101) of the base module (100) provide a through-holebetween the inside and the outside of the secondary tube tray (1′; 1″),wherein the insert opening (203′; 203″) in the bottom side (201′; 201″)of the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″) and the discharge opening(1011) in the bottom side (101) of the base module (100) are at leastdimensioned for passage of a single secondary tube (2), further whereinthe insert opening (203′; 203″) in the bottom side (201′; 201″) of thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″) and the discharge opening (1011) inthe bottom side (101) of the base module (100) are broader than alongitudinal length of each secondary tube (2).
 7. The secondary tubetray (1′; 1″) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary tube insert(200′; 200″) is at least partially enclosed by the base module (100) ina framed manner, without the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″)protruding to the outside of the base module (100), and wherein the basemodule (100) is adapted to be stackable on top of another base module(100) of the same type.
 8. The secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) according toclaim 1, wherein the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″) is adapted toaccommodate secondary tubes (2) in their horizontal position, whereinthe secondary tubes (2) can be randomly oriented in a horizontallyaligned manner inside the secondary tube insert (200′; 200″).
 9. Thesecondary tube tray (1′; 1″) according to claim 1, wherein the blockingmechanism and the discharge opening (1011) in the bottom side (101) ofthe base module (100) are adapted for dispensing the secondary tubes (2)one-by-one.
 10. A secondary tube handling module (4) for an automatedprocessing system for automatically processing biological sample,preferably provided as a component arranged inside a housing of theautomated processing system, wherein the secondary tube handling module(4) is adapted to hold at least one secondary tube tray (1′; 1″)according to claim 1; the secondary tube handling module (4) comprises aseparator (41) for extraction of secondary tubes (2) from the secondarytube insert (200′; 200″) of the secondary tube tray (1′; 1″), theseparator (41) comprising a tilting mechanism (411) for tilting thesecondary tube tray (1′; 1″) about a lateral axis; the secondary tubehandling module (4) comprises at least one blocking mechanism actuatingmember (4221) for actuating the blocking mechanism to block/unblock thedischarge opening (1011) in the bottom side (101) of the base module(100); and the secondary tube tray (1′; 1″) and said blocking mechanismactuating member (4221) are movable relative to each other by means ofsaid tilting mechanism (411) to move the blocking mechanism actuatingmember (4221) through the discharge opening (1011) in the bottom side(101) of the base module (100) and through the insert opening (203′;203″) in the bottom side (201′; 201″) of the secondary tube insert(200′; 200″), to engage with the blocking mechanism.
 11. The secondarytube handling module (4) according to claim 10, further comprising atleast one cam member (43) for pushing subsequent secondary tubes (2)towards the discharge opening (1011) of the secondary tube tray (1′; 1″)by movement of the cam member (43) through the actuation opening (1012)of the base module (100) and the insert opening (203′; 203″) of thesecondary tube insert (200′; 200″).
 12. The secondary tube handlingmodule (4) according to claim 10, further comprising a bufferintermediate storage (42) for receiving multiple discharged secondarytubes (2) and storing the same temporarily, the buffer intermediatestorage (42) comprising the blocking mechanism actuating member (4221)at its receiving end.
 13. The secondary tube handling module (4)according to claim 12, wherein the buffer intermediate storage (42) isadapted for determining a number of received discharged secondary tubes(2), wherein the buffer intermediate storage (42) comprises at least onebuffer sensor (421) for detecting an underrun of a predetermined bufferlevel of the number of received discharged secondary tubes (2). 14.(canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. The secondary tube tray according to claim4, wherein the blocking bar is configured to be urged into its blockingposition by a biasing force.
 17. The secondary tube handling moduleaccording to claim 11, wherein the cam member is adapted to pushsubsequent secondary tubes towards the discharge opening only when theinsert opening is unblocked.
 18. The secondary tube handling moduleaccording to claim 11, wherein the cam member is an eccentric disk. 19.The secondary tube handling module according to claim 13, wherein thebuffer intermediate storage is adapted to receive a maximum of fivesecondary tubes, and wherein the predetermined buffer level ispredetermined to be four secondary tubes.
 20. The secondary tubehandling module according to claim 10, wherein the tilting mechanism isconfigured to tilt the secondary tube tray between 10° and 14° about thelateral axis.
 21. The secondary tube handling module according to claim10, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to tilt the secondarytube tray 12° about the lateral axis.
 22. The secondary tube handlingmodule according to claim 10, wherein the blocking mechanism actuatingmember comprises at least one of a pin and a spacer.